I am in recovery so I thought I would chime in more for my recovery than anything else. Being an addict/alcoholic is a disease. To recover, or want help, a person has to want help. Usually that moment comes when the addict reaches their bottom. As described earlier, bottom is a general term used to describe a personal set of circumstances that become so unbearable that anything is better. Sadly, for some, bottom is death. For others the bottom is the final straw which opens them to help. Unfortunately, until an addict/alcoholic reaches their bottom they will not look to change their life despite the damage they may cause to themselves or others. So, as my sponsor told me, don't deny an addict/alcoholic their bottom. The best you can do is get yourself and other out of the way. That is a good first step to providing a wake up call.
The disease is unlike anything you can imagine. I knew I was killing myself and just could not stop. I could not function or even stop shaking without a drink. In the end it was either death or getting help, and I didn't want to die. The analogy that comes to mind is this, you can describe what a skydive is like to someone whose never jumped, but they really don't "know" until they make a jump. The same can be said about addiction, you really can't understand how powerless you are as an addict/alcoholic unless you are an addict/alcoholic.
There is some good news, the truth is no one can make an addict/alcoholic get help. If they don't want it they won't accept it. However, once an addict/alcoholic decides they are powerless and life is unmanageable and they don't want to take drugs or drink, decide to accept help and learn a new way, no one can make them go back.
I thank God everyday for my sobriety. It only took me 30 years of drinking to realize there was a better way. Good luck!
